No two shifts are ever the same for the officers patrolling our streets
At the briefing at the start of the shift, Sergeant Scott Hunter told his team that dropping in on licensed premises was a priority, as it is every weekend.
A list of public houses had been drawn up by the licensing department at South Lanarkshire Council and the team had a plan of action before leaving Rutherglen police office.
Two patrol cars were then despatched to premises in Halfway, Cambuslang and Rutherglen.
However, minutes later a call came through alerting officers to the possible whereabouts of a wanted male.
During the briefing, it was mentioned that a 30-year-old man was being monitored with a view to arresting him.
At 7.40pm, the Polish national was apprehended in Cambuslang.
Sgt Hunter said: “We received intelligence that the suspect was at the Eva Burrows 1st Stop Project.
“He was wanted on an international arrest warrant and our officers were able to trace and place him under arrest. This was a good result.”
It soon became apparent that every crackle across the radio presents a different challenge or obstacle. Getting back into the car, PC Gordon Dunn and PC Thomas McEwan headed to Halfway to start the licensing patrol.
One particularly busy pub was identified and, after officers made their way past the smokers at the door, PC Dunn spoke to the manager and used his mobile device to record the visit.
Stepping into the gents’ toilets – a wipe was used to check for cocaine residue on toilet seats.
It instantly changed colour to blue. Bright blue. A telltale sign cocaine had been in use. The officers told the bamanager about the outcome and left. PC Dunn said: “We let the managers know that we have had a positive result as we feed this back to the licensing team.
“It’s a shame because the manager said that the toilets had been cleaned about 6pm. So, in that short time cocaine had been taken in the toilets.”
Next stops were a quieter pub and a convenience store, where licensing checks were efficiently carried out.
The officers then drove to Cambuslang, visiting another two shops and a pub.
A group of teenagers were hanging around outside.
The officers asked for ID from the group, who were all found to be over 18.
Inside, the pub was lively, by far the busiest visited so far.
Another drug test in the toilet revealed cocaine was present not just on the toilet seat – but also in the bowl!
As the officers left after speaking to the manager, an elderly man told them a young girl had been assaulted at the train station and was badly hurt. They went to the station and interviewed the station conductor.
He believed the girl was about 16 and had been assaulted by another girl and two boys who then ran off. He said the victim boarded a train to Glasgow.
British Transport Police were notified and the incident was handed to them.
Back in the car, PC Thomas McEwan said: “This shows the importance of being out and about.
“The public see you and alert you to situations that otherwise we wouldn’t find out about. Being visible in the community is so important.”
Next up was a patrol of Rutherglen with Sgt Hunter and PC John Drummond.
Another licensed premises was checked and yet again, the gents toilets tested positive for cocaine.
Heading back to the station Sgt Hunter said: “One of the benefits of being a police officer is that it is so diverse and there are definitely no two shifts the same.
“Tonight was an example of how diverse policing can be.
“At times, we were patrolling in our communities, continuing enquiries, assisting members of the public and the next we were responding to emergency calls assisting our colleagues and helping to keep our communities safe.”